Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-12-02
s. =. 3.
AN INTERESTING SKETCH OF
A POPULAR ORGANIZA-
IION.

CORD-A SPLENDID BODY OF MEN
AND TODAY THE BEST MUSICAL OR
GANIZATION IN THE SOUTH.
ETC, ETC, ETC.
The Stonewall Brigade Band is the old
est organization belonging to the Valley
Band Association and doubtless the oldest
musical organization in this country, it
was organized in the town of Stanton,
Va, in the year 1866. under the director
ship of Prof. A. J. T urner. at that time
band music was IN its infancy, IN fact the
possibilities both in the sublime science
of music and the wonderful developments
made in the art OF the manufacture OF
band instruments, was hardly dreamed of
In those days to learn to play "a brass
horn" was gi gantic undertaking. None
but the brave dare'' to venture upon a
task so hazardous. The ole pump valve
instrument used then was considered the
grandest achievement of modern ingenui
ty, but to those martyrs of the "Old
Mountain Saxhorn Band" who have sur
vived the agoniziHg crucial of that trying
period, 1t seems that they have been deliv-
cred from the era of bar barism, nothing
but the indomitable -give-up- ative-
ness of those old 'vets'' could have ever
enabled them to conquer the Mountain
Saxhorn. But they got there all the same
and evolved from those old relics sweet
strains which will never lose their pow
er to charm as long as memory shall last.
At that critical period of the bands his
tory, it fortunately had the tutorshlp of
its talented leader. who in his younger
DAYS had few rivals as finished musician
ano as a graceful cornetlst. 1t Is no fiat
terry to add that he still possesses in re-
markable degree his ability to handle this,
one of the greatest of all musical lnstru-
ments-the cornet,
The band under the above auspices con-
tinued to harass and prosecute the sur
rounding neighborhood, with their cease
less dlscordant slash and crash of ''sweet''
sounds until the Saxhorn was flnally con-
quered, and the boys" launched out a
full fiedged Brass Band.
Nothing of unusual interest occurred
to the band until the skies were black
with the thickening clouds of war. Vir-
ginia had joined her destiny with that OF
the other Southern States, and called for
her sons; as they speedily bore to the front
the old band with patriotism born OF
progenitors of Revolutionary fame, bid
.adieu to home and loved ones and linked
their fortunes with the 9Th Va. Regiment,
which afterwards proved to be one of the
modest body of soldiers whose record ever
lllumined the pages of history.
Little thought these men, in responding
to the call of their State, that so many
and varied would be the vicissitudes
through which they were destin ed to pass.
Wisely and mercifully is the future yelled
from our sight.
The band joined the old 9Th IN the low
or Valley near Winchester, Va, and was
received by all with great rejoicing.
The boys went to the army, as they
thought, fully and sturdily equipped for
the fray, their bard wagon was
gorgeous, and all appurtenances royal. the
blankets beautiful, white and soft, but
alas too soon were these gentle reminders
of home comforts rudely thrown aside,
the stern realities of grim visaged war;
burst upon them; but like the Virginians,
they met and faced these realities with brave
hearts and determined resolves. Now be.
gins in earnest the building, unconscious
ly, of history that will last as long as
the briiiiancy of the achievements of the
old Brigade shall be remembered and
cherished by the true and brave.
The band from now passed through
r,an berless scenes and incidents, the men,
ory ct which causes the heart to threb
with pulsations quick and strong, bring
ing in their train sad recollections which
we fain would FORGET; and yet when
memory strays back on those eventfu
days, many pleasant scenes come vlvldly
before our vision. Many manly forms
many CHEEKY faces aud gladstone voices
that have long since passed over the river
Who could forget the Stonewall theatre
built by special contract by John McCord
of 20. K, though rough heWn logs aud
mud constituted the main materials in
its construction, yet never Was there q
Grand Opera House. possessing in ths
ewes of its admireIs-Eore beautiful sym
,etry of architectural skill, than did this
rude structure to those of the Brigade, il
sthe depths Of the forest near Pisgat
church.
Who can forget the actors who struttet
that stage, the moving spirit was Noble
q. Johnson-the mention of whose name
the stolId features OF Aug usta IS old heroes
will relax aud broaden 10 smile that has
a volume of meaning.
The band vas tbs grand orchestra" OF
this mammoth Play House, and right wei
did the, fill up to the measure OF its re-
quirements.
1t is generally believed that musicians
in the army had comparatively easy times
such at least was not the Case with th'
StoneWall. The only duties from which
they were relieved were guard duties
which we're then OF minor Importance.
When the long roll was beat-the mean
ing OF which every heart too we'll knew
flo arms-the band being the field hosplta
CORPS. reported to the surgeons.
1t was here the admirable system, orlei
mated by the band, was beautifully e1ern
pllfied; every man had his particular out,
to perform. at the anaRaeating table
number Of the meu became indispensable
assistants TO the surgeons. Many Wer
the -Apliments bestowed upon the ban'
for the intelligent and faithful dIscharg
,of these duties. The kind and tende
ministrations of these men will never b
forgotten by many OF the old Brigade VIII